BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Is Apple Going to Recall the iPhone 4?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/15/is-apple-going-to-recall-the-iphone-4/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/15/is-apple-going-to-recall-the-iphone-4/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/15/is-apple-going-to-recall-the-iphone-4/#commentsFiled under: ,

There is quite a bit of Internet chatter about Apple's (AAPL) new iPhone 4. Unfortunately for the tech company, a good deal of it is negative. There is a problem with reception for the iPhone, a problem that stems from touching "a spot" on the lower left side of the phone. This problem caused Consumer Reports to say that it "can't recommend the iPhone 4." On July 2, Apple tried to explain that the problem was not the antenna, but that it was a calculation mistake that makes it appear that there were two more bars of reception -- seriously. Apple did offer to fix the problem with a free software update (available in a "few weeks") for the iPhone 4, 3, and 3GS.

Continue reading Is Apple Going to Recall the iPhone 4?

Is Apple Going to Recall the iPhone 4? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iphone 3iphone 3giphone 3gsiphone 4iphone problemsiphone recalliphone receptionsteve jobsThu, 15 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple backs AT&T in continuing spat with Verizon]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/24/apple-backs-atandt-in-continuing-spat-with-verizon/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/24/apple-backs-atandt-in-continuing-spat-with-verizon/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/24/apple-backs-atandt-in-continuing-spat-with-verizon/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

AT&T, Inc. (T) has been getting itself into a wad about recent commercials from larger competitor Verizon Wireless. In those ads, Verizon touts its advanced 3G wireless coverage over AT&T's tepid 3G coverage as a way to battle the ubiquitous popularity of the Apple (AAPL) iPhone that no carrier seems to be able an unseat as the phone to exclusively sell.

Continue reading Apple backs AT&T in continuing spat with Verizon

Apple backs AT&T in continuing spat with Verizon originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLAppleATTfeaturedInc.iphoneiphone 3giphone3gTVerizon WirelessVerizonWirelessVZTue, 24 Nov 2009 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple could sell twice as many iPhones by going with Verizon Wireless]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/02/apple-could-sell-twice-as-many-iphones-by-going-with-verizon-wir/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/02/apple-could-sell-twice-as-many-iphones-by-going-with-verizon-wir/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/02/apple-could-sell-twice-as-many-iphones-by-going-with-verizon-wir/#commentsFiled under: ,

Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) could sell twice as many iPhones if it decided to dump partner AT&T, Inc. (NYSE: T) as the only exclusive provider of the iPhone, according to some Bernstein Research analysts. Would Apple dare do that? Since Apple and AT&T joined exclusive forces almost two years ago, Verizon Wireless has emerged as the largest wireless carrier in the U.S. -- and none of its 87+ million subscribers has an iPhone. Mighty tempting, Apple.

Continue reading Apple could sell twice as many iPhones by going with Verizon Wireless

Apple could sell twice as many iPhones by going with Verizon Wireless originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLAppleATTCDMA iPhoneCdmaIphoneInc.inthenewsiPhone 3GIphone3gVerizon WirelessVerizonWirelessTue, 02 Jun 2009 15:35:00 EST<![CDATA[A new iPhone from Apple could cause huge headaches for AT&T]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/29/new-iphone-from-apple-could-cause-huge-network-headaches-for-atand/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/29/new-iphone-from-apple-could-cause-huge-network-headaches-for-atand/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/29/new-iphone-from-apple-could-cause-huge-network-headaches-for-atand/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Apple, Inc.'s (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone 3G has admittedly caused problems for wireless partner AT&T, Inc. (NYSE: T). Little did AT&T know that so many iPhones would be sold and so much data would be pumped over its wireless network.

What would happen if a newer iPhone was announced and released this year that featured front-facing camera videoconferencing? Would the millions of iPhone users start sending out even more bucketloads of data doing a ton of live video over their iPhones?

Continue reading A new iPhone from Apple could cause huge headaches for AT&T

A new iPhone from Apple could cause huge headaches for AT&T originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 29 May 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In his BullMarket.com advisory, Bill Martin looks to new products from Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), such as the next version of the iPhone.

In addition, the advisors looks to the recent stronger-than-expected results announced by Research in Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM) and why that may bode well for Apple's own upcoming results.

Martin observes, "RBC Capital Markets analyst Mike Abramsky said Apple will launch a new version of the iPhone inJune, which the analyst has dubbed the iPhone 3G Pro.

"In a research note, Abramsky said the new version of the popular smartphone will include a number of new features and improvements over the one introduced last summer to popular appeal.

Continue reading Apple: Still a favorite for the 'long haul'

Apple: Still a favorite for the 'long haul' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 06 Apr 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaplapplebill martinBillMartinblackberrybullmarket.comfeaturediphoneiphone 3gIphone3gresearch in motionResearchInMotionsmart phonessmartphonethestockadvisors.comMon, 06 Apr 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Are Apple iPhone fans feeling bored?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/23/are-apple-iphone-fans-feeling-bored/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/23/are-apple-iphone-fans-feeling-bored/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/23/are-apple-iphone-fans-feeling-bored/#commentsFiled under: ,

With most Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone App Store applications gathering dust after a very short period of time, one has to wonder if the ultimate application store for the iPhone is all what it's cracked up to be. If most of the applications have very limited usefulness (one the novelty wears off), is the iPhone more than just an expensive applications platform with a mobile phone attached?

Continue reading Are Apple iPhone fans feeling bored?

Are Apple iPhone fans feeling bored? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLAppleApple iPhoneAppleIphoneInc.iPhone 3giPhone App StoreIphone3gIphoneAppStoreMon, 23 Feb 2009 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Best Buy whacks iPhone price by $10; gets rid of $30 setup fee also]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/26/best-buy-whacks-iphone-price-by-10-gets-rid-of-30-setup-fee-a/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/26/best-buy-whacks-iphone-price-by-10-gets-rid-of-30-setup-fee-a/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/26/best-buy-whacks-iphone-price-by-10-gets-rid-of-30-setup-fee-a/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Best Buy, Inc. (NYSE: BBY) is slicing $10 off the price of the 8GB Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone 3G, cutting its price to $189.99 through January 3rd. In addition, the 16GB version of the iPhone will drop to $289.99 as well. Wow! A measly $10 off a new iPhone! Stop the presses!

Best Buy's Scott Moore indicated that "we thought this would be a way to help customers right now." What a generous gift, yes? Truth be told, it's Apple who dictates to its retailer partners the prices they can sell Apple goods. This is why you'll see almost the exact same price for any Apple product no matter where you purchase it.

But, if Best Buy thinks whacking $10 off the price of an already-overpriced piece of hardware is doing customers a favor, something's in the food in Richfield. And, a $30 "setup fee" for the iPhone? What kind of nonsense is that? At least this fee is being waived along with this huge price reduction. Since Best Buy gives a free "walking out working" setup to all the other cellphones it sells, why on earth is there a $30 fee to setup the iPhone -- which is heralded as one of the easiest phones to setup anyway?

It's no secret that Best Buy has been hurt by the holiday season retail sales slowdown -- it has said as much -- but I'm not sure this is any way to help that situation. That is, unless customers are expected to line up to save the cost of a single movie ticket to a device that locks them into more than $1,600 in calling and data plan contract fees over a 24-month period. What a mark that $10 will have, yes? If Apple and Best Buy really want to "help out" more customers, it sure needs to be more than a measly $10 pittance.

Best Buy whacks iPhone price by $10; gets rid of $30 setup fee also originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 26 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Research In Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM) enjoyed many years of mythical-type growth as a result of the innocuous little BlackBerry device that emerged on the scene around the turn of the century.

The thumb-driven mini-keyboard and its ability to access e-mail away from the computer allowed busy professionals to get more done, greatly improving productivity.

Unfortunately for the company, some of the biggest users of these devices were the Wall Street crowd. With the financial sector in complete disarray, investors in RIMM are legitimately asking if the loss of sales will be temporary, or something more permanent.

Shares of RIMM have been in a freefall during the latter half of this year. Since reaching a peak of nearly $150 per share in late June, RIMM lost more than $100 in value. Shares now trade in the mid-$30 range.

So what gives?

Continue reading Wall Street out of work. Is the BlackBerry cracked?

Wall Street out of work. Is the BlackBerry cracked? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackberryfeaturediphoneiphone 3giphone3gresearch in motionResearchInMotionrimmsmartphoneMon, 15 Dec 2008 17:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple iPhone may be coming to Wal-Mart in just over a month]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/20/apple-iphone-may-be-coming-to-wal-mart-in-just-over-a-month/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/20/apple-iphone-may-be-coming-to-wal-mart-in-just-over-a-month/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/20/apple-iphone-may-be-coming-to-wal-mart-in-just-over-a-month/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It was just a matter of time. It looks like the Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone 3G will be coming to Wal-Mart sometime before the end of the year, but probably after Christmas. According to the Boy Genius Report, which claims its sources are reliable and to have come across some internal Wal-Mart correspondence, the iPhone 3G will be sold in 2,500 Wal-Mart locations in about a month from now.

Remember that the iPhone 3G must be activated (unlike the original iPhone), so only Wal-Mart locations that can use a specific ordering and activation system can carry the iPhone 3G. Some Sam's Club locations will also carry the iPhone 3G, but they also must use the Wal-Mart ordering and activation system in-house (several Sam's locations use a different wireless activation system). All in all, this will make the iPhone available to just about every American (well, the ones with good credit at least) as more U.S. shoppers have exposure to Wal-Mart than just about any other store.

The question is whether Apple is forsaking the iPhone cool brand allure by offering it at the largest discounter in the world. At this time, no. The iPhone 3G has been out in the world long enough for the iPhone to make its name. Offering it at Wal-Mart now won't impact its reputation nor affect Apple's cred.

Since Apple pretty much dictates pricing to its retail partners, expect the iPhone 3G to sell for a dollar or two less than the standard $199 and $299 pricing levels seen at all other retailers. Say, something like $197.48 and $297.48, as Wal-Mart is into non-standard retail pricing schemes to try and create the illusion of low prices against the competition. The presumed launch date: December 28th. Get ready.

Apple iPhone may be coming to Wal-Mart in just over a month originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In business school, MBA students play a marketing strategy game where they launch imaginary electronics products, using phantom research & development dollars and marketing expenditures to position the products as high-end or low-end, to market to certain audiences, and then to change the price point to attract the maximum sales possible. It's a delicate game meant to emphasize how consumers value products; and how some will not purchase a product if it's too inexpensive; the low price devalues the item. It's a quest for the perfect price.

Smartphones have been on that quest, with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) in the lead. No company seems to more attentively strategize its price points than Apple, and the iPhone has a storied history, first launched for $599 and $499 for the 8GB and 4GB models, respectively, followed swiftly by a $200 price cut for both products. Now the new 8GB iPhone 3G is $199 if you buy it with an AT&T phone plan (and $299 for the 16GB version).

In a research note yesterday, analyst Charlie Wolf of Needham Research said he'd done the analysis and Apple could safely sell the 8GB version for $99, a price point that, with the subsidy from AT&T, would protect its margins at 42.3% (I need to see the numbers on this), and certainly convince holdouts like me (the refurb Blackberry I use was free with the contract subsidy) that the iPhone is the thing. At this price, surely the game would be a landslide in Apple's favor. The iPhone is more beautiful, more useful, and has more geeky cred than the Blackberry; at $99, I agree that the market would be won and to the iPhone conqueror would be the spoils.

iPhone at $99: Would that be the smartphone market conqueror? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 28 Oct 2008 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aapliphoneiphone 3gIphone3gprice cutPriceCutTue, 28 Oct 2008 18:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Time to focus on Apple's products, not Steve Jobs' health]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/09/10/apple-event-focus-not-on-product-but-on-steve-jobs-health/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/09/10/apple-event-focus-not-on-product-but-on-steve-jobs-health/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/09/10/apple-event-focus-not-on-product-but-on-steve-jobs-health/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Michael wrote yesterday about Apple Inc.'s (NASDAQ: AAPL) announcement of newer iPods plus a major update for the iTunes music/TV/movie store -- and how the market seemed to not care about anything other than the health of Apple CEO Steve Jobs. I say, enough already -- can the analysts and pundits get off Jobs' case and let the man lead his company without distraction?

This seems more like checkout line magazine idiocy and entertainment smut more than anything. Instead of talking about Apple's growing dominance in the cellphone, PC and music marketplaces (where it is incredibly strong already), the entertainment media street analysts continue yakking about Jobs' health. Do they not know that Jobs has lined up such an incredible design and execution team that Apple would, umm, continue to be a market powerhouse even when Jobs eventually retires or leaves the company? Ever hear of Phil Schiller? How about Jonathan Ives?

It's true that not one executive on this planet embodies a company like Jobs does to Apple. That's the trick -- but that doesn't mean Apple would implode five years after Jobs leaves (when he does, by any method). Although Jobs looked gaunt yesterday when introducing all these new products, he was energetic (very much so) and continued to decline comment on his health. Get over it, folks. Let's talk about Apple's business prospects and results, not about the health of its evangelical founder and CEO.

Time to focus on Apple's products, not Steve Jobs' health originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best Buy Inc. (NYSE: BBY) and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) expanded their existing relationship this past Sunday, as the largest consumer electronics retailer in the U.S. became the exclusive provider for the Apple iPhone 3G, aside from Apple and its wireless carrier partner AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T).

The fact that Best Buy is now selling the iPhone 3G should help Apple sell up to ten million iPhones (original and 3G) in 2008. If you've been lusting after an iPhone but can't get to an Apple retail store or AT&T retail location, just head on down to your local Best Buy store. Best Buy reported that it is now selling the iPhone 3G in all 970 full-size stores along with 16 Best Buy Mobile specialty stores.

What does this mean for Best Buy? Probably more foot traffic to the already market-leading source of flat-panel televisions, PCs, gadgets, and music. Best Buy should also be able to help educate potential buyers on the iPhone 3G and help turn those folks into AT&T subscribers and Apple customers.

Continue reading Best Buy (BBY) begins selling the Apple (AAPL) iPhone

Best Buy (BBY) begins selling the Apple (AAPL) iPhone originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 09 Sep 2008 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLAppleBBYBest BuyBestBuyinthenewsiPhoneiPhone 3GIphone3gTue, 09 Sep 2008 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Are you in love with Apple?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/09/08/are-you-in-love-with-apple/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/09/08/are-you-in-love-with-apple/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/09/08/are-you-in-love-with-apple/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It has become apparent to my colleagues and I that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) is perhaps the most popular company to write about and should you have the slightest question about its products, service, or stock price you are bound to get a few flaming comments from the Apple faithful.

The stock is slightly up from last month when I posted Chasing Value: Apple -- two rights and one wrong closing at $160.18 Friday.

However, this is down about 20% from its high of $202.96, so it is under performing the market by about 5%. No big deal for a stock with a beta of 2.36. Actually, a few of the faithful probably made some good money buying when Apple was down earlier in the year, under $120.

This is one company that people are in love with and that is where some caution is warranted. Just like you might overlook a friend or loved ones idiosyncrasies you might have a tendency to do the same with this stock. Discipline (and perhaps some luck) is required by successful investors and the feedback we get is that some Apple investors have been blinded by the light.

There will come a day when the blockbuster products and features disappoint.

Apple's forward looking P/E of 28 has come down some with the stock price as earnings growth continues, even if Apple says that might slow too. On that I say -- who knows? It has been accused of downplaying its future earnings just to have us marvel at the upside after reporting. We shall have to wait and see.

It has been about six weeks since the 3G iPhone found its way into my 15-year-old's growing hands and he loves it (but owns no stock). All of the features advertised have met his expectations, but, and it is a big but, the battery charge does not last very long unless you consciously conserve by using less of the features.

Perhaps someone can enlighten me and other readers as to why Apple cannot make a removable battery that users can replace themselves. Apple would make more money by selling back-ups that iPhone owners could swap out themselves extending the usefullness of the phone. I carry an extra battery for my phone. If Apple did this I think even a few more people would use it for business.

Sheldon Liber is the CEO of a small private investment company and the principal for design and research at an architecture & planning firm. He writes the columns Chasing Value and Serious Money. Disclosure: I do not own shares of AAPL.

Are you in love with Apple? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) released the iPhone 3G back in July, little did it know (most likely) that the device would have issues worldwide connecting to 3G networks, causing consumer frustration on a level we've rarely seen with any Apple product. Well, some consumers have apparently given up and they're moving back to the older, slower, original iPhone, which is causing a cottage industry to spring up around the older device.

NextWorth.com is charging $200 to $300 for a used iPhone (the non-3G kind), which is more than the price of the newer, sleeker and faster iPhone 3G. Why? There's demand -- and lots of it. Some customers don't want to be shackled to AT&T, Inc. (NYSE: T), the exclusive carrier for the iPhone and iPhone 3G in the U.S., as the original iPhone can be unlocked very easily using software tools found all over the internet. Once unlocked, the original iPhone can be used at any WiFi hotspot. There are no 3G connectivity issues either.

Does Apple have a problem now that the older, discontinued iPhone is still in hot demand? No. People using iPhones, new or old, reinforces the brand among other things, and Apple still made the original sale after all. If there is any loser here, it's AT&T. The largest wireless carrier in the U.S. still has the smallest nationwide 3G wireless network compared to its competitors. Launching a product with the magnitude of the iPhone 3G was just asking for problems given AT&T's network, and some informed customers don't want AT&T at all.

Original Apple iPhone seeing huge demand originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 04 Sep 2008 10:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple, Inc.'s (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone 3G continues to sell like gangbusters even with multiple issues and some furious customers. But, if Apple really is bent on selling over 10 million of the now-iconic, do-everything handset, it may need to beef up its sales as best it can. Enter China Mobile.

That's right -- the wireless company that has more subscribers than there are U.S. citizens may be selling the iPhone 3G soon, according to reports. And we're not talking gray market handsets, but an actual partnership between Apple and China Mobile. Talks between the two companies, according to the 21st Century Business Herald, are in "final stages."

China Mobile CEO Wang Jianzhou stated this week at the ITU Telecom Asia 2008 exhibition in Bangkok that "Steve Jobs and I hope the iPhone will enter China as soon as possible ... we are discussing this issue, but we do not have an agreement." If Apple can get its do-everything handset into China Mobile, we've not seen anything yet in terms of iPhone 3G sales.

IPod sales may be on the decline in the near future -- but can the iPhone 3G make up for that? We'll see.

Apple's iPhone may be coming to China Mobile originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLApple iPhoneAppleIphoneChina MobileChinaMobileiPhone 3GIphone3gWed, 03 Sep 2008 15:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Sprint's newer Instinct phone tries to keep up with iPhone 3G marketing]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/18/sprints-newer-instinct-phone-tries-to-keep-up-with-iphone-3g-ma/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/18/sprints-newer-instinct-phone-tries-to-keep-up-with-iphone-3g-ma/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/18/sprints-newer-instinct-phone-tries-to-keep-up-with-iphone-3g-ma/#commentsFiled under: , ,


After seeing the above advertisement at the website of Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S), I can see why the Samsung Instinct has become Sprint's hottest-selling phone with 3G capability ever in just over a month on the market. Sprint has sure pulled out all the stops to ensure its would-be customers that this phone is every bit as capable as the vaunted iPhone 3G. In fact, you feel like you are watching a movie by visiting www.sprint.com and seeing the entire Samsung Instinct advertisement -- complete with helicopters and a Batman-esque feel.

But, what's significant about Sprint's online marketing campaign for the Instinct is the integration with Google, Inc.'s (NASDAQ: GOOG) YouTube. Notice the red callout in the above picture. Samsung Instinct owners are being encouraged to shoot a home movie that includes shots of the Instinct handset. If you do that and then notify Sprint, the company will pay you $20.

This is an interesting marketing angle, and it's one I've never seen before. Is this the kind of advertising we'll see from companies in the future? Sprint will be throwing out $20 bills to anyone who creates a viral video on YouTube with their product prominently featured. I suppose that's cheaper than national TV airtime and probably will reach the intended audience for the Instinct handset as effectively as possible (the YouTube generation). I have to give Sprint some credit here -- this is a great marketing idea and plan and will help it compete with the iPhone 3G.

Sprint's newer Instinct phone tries to keep up with iPhone 3G marketing originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iPhone 3GIphone3gSSamsung InstinctSamsungInstinctSprint InstinctSprint Instint marketingSprint NextelSprintInstinctSprintInstintMarketingSprintNextelFri, 18 Jul 2008 11:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple/AT&T iPhone 3G launch deemed a disaster]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/11/apple-atandt-iphone-3g-launch-deemed-a-disaster/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/11/apple-atandt-iphone-3g-launch-deemed-a-disaster/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/11/apple-atandt-iphone-3g-launch-deemed-a-disaster/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

After having monitored blogs and news of the iPhone 3G launch all morning and afternoon, the general feeling I get is that the launch of the iPhone 3G could be considered nothing less than a disaster. Blame Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), blame AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) -- but if you were brave enough to "have to have" an iPhone 3G on launch day, you may have a need for a stress ball by now.

It appears that Apple's integration with AT&T's activation system didn't fare so well on this day. Both companies should have known, like June of last year, that it would be a super-busy day for the iPhone universe. In what seems like a commonplace event on large product launches, activation servers crashed, software updates failed (even for the older iPhone owners who wanted to updated to the newer software) and scores of customers were left without working iPhones as the in-store activation process was completely fubar'ed by both companies.

For Apple to have such an awesome piece of hardware and software in the iPhone 3G, working with an aging and piecemeal telecom carrier was unfortunately a necessity. After all, Apple does not own a national wireless network with high-speed data capability. But the customer process failed miserably today -- something that zealous and exuberant iPhone 3G buyers should not forget. Did you really, really need that iPhone 3G today? If your answer is yes (yeah, right), you should have expected a nightmare. For many of you, that was delivered rather nicely. Hope you kept up with your pulse, eh?

Apple/AT&T iPhone 3G launch deemed a disaster originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 11 Jul 2008 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MAJOR PAPERS:
  • The Wall Street Journal reported that Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) is set to revamp its manufacturing operations in the U.S. in response to rising gasoline prices that have led to a shift toward fuel-efficient models. Officials at the auto maker said key moves may include dropping plans to produce the Highlander car-SUV crossover vehicles in a Tupelo, Mississippi plant, instead producing the Prius at the plant.
  • Tomorrow Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) is set to launch its second version of the iPhone but it also will be opening its APP Store to software developers--an online bazaar--with the intent of bringing more applications to the phone as it has with music via its iTunes stores. Apple's goal is to turn the iPhone into a gadget that more resembles a personal computer, the Wall Street Journal reported.
OTHER PAPERS:
  • According to sources, the South China Morning Post reported that Wynn Resorts Limited (NASDAQ: WYNN) is considering a secondary listing in Hong Kong that would raise as much as $3B. The source said that the fund-raising plan has yet to be approved that that the company is a "long way" from a share sale and "might never do it."
WEB SITES:
  • In an interview, Bloomberg reported that Former St. Louis Federal Reserve President William Poole said there is an increasing chance the U.S. may need to bail out "insolvent" Federal National Mortgage Association (NYSE: FNM), or Fannie Mae, and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (NYSE: FRE), or Freddie Mac. Poole said data provided show that the fair value of Fannie Mae's assets fell 66% to $12.2B in Q2, while Freddie Mac owed $5.2B more than its assets were worth during the quarter.

Newspaper wrap-up: Apple to open App Store to software developers with PC phones in mind originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 10 Jul 2008 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLApp StoreAppleAppStoreFannie MaeFannieMaeFNMFREFreddie MacFreddieMacHong KongHongKongiphoneiphone 3giphone3gsecondary listingSecondaryListingTMtoyotatoyota highlanderToyota Motortoyota priusToyotaHighlanderToyotaMotorToyotaPriusWilliam PooleWilliamPooleWYNNWynn ResortsWynnResortsThu, 10 Jul 2008 08:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple could create headaches for Garmin and TomTom]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/01/apple-aapl-could-create-headaches-for-garmin-and-tomtom/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/01/apple-aapl-could-create-headaches-for-garmin-and-tomtom/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/01/apple-aapl-could-create-headaches-for-garmin-and-tomtom/#commentsFiled under: , ,

You would think that companies making standalone GPS devices would be making bank right now. The devices that never let you get lost when driving are important to many travelers, especially when you don't want to fumble with maps, let alone get lost and waste a bunch of expensive gas getting back on track. Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), one of the leading GPS makers, though, has seen tough times recently. Its shares have declined 56% recently. Why I'm not sure. I do know that it has nothing to do with Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL)'s iPhone that's about to be released in a few weeks.

Apple's new 3G iPhone will have embedded GPS, which will make the gadget all the more useful. Regardless, though, will consumers be using their iPhones as replacements for full GPS devices in all those vehicles? Unless there is a decent vehicle mount kit available, it's hard to believe so. The iPhone does have the best chance at displacing more units from Garmin and other GPS makers like TomTom in the car navigation arena, but the entire GPS experience is what some folks probably forget about.

If you've ever used a GPS navigation program installed on a normal cellphone or smartphone, does it works seamlessly like a standalone product? Can you take and make calls while the GPS continues working in the background, giving you all those voice directions? What makes standalone GPS devices so valuable is that they work even when we're multitasking with phone calls. That's the kicker: the first time you miss a direction by voice because you're busy chatting on the phone, a GPS solution on top of a cellphone -- at least for driving purposes -- would become useless to the average consumer. I doubt Apple's upcoming solution will be this drab, but I continue to see a bright future for standalone GPS device manufacturers (although profits will continue to dwindle). Apple, as always, is not the only game in town. It will still be big for non-driving GPS uses, though.

Apple could create headaches for Garmin and TomTom originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLAppleGarmin TomTomGarminTomtomGPSGPS iPhoneGpsIphoneInc.iPhone 3GIphone3gTue, 01 Jul 2008 16:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Sprint's new iPhone-killer selling like hotcakes]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/01/sprints-new-iphone-killer-selling-like-hotcakes/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/01/sprints-new-iphone-killer-selling-like-hotcakes/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/01/sprints-new-iphone-killer-selling-like-hotcakes/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Doug pointed out recently that the new Samsung Instinct most likely could not save Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S) from its current financial and customer woes. He's right -- one phone does not resurrect a company. However, the Instinct -- which looks and functions very similar to an Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone -- is still selling like hotcakes. My guess? It's all due to Apple, not Sprint.

The Instinct, which apparently has become Sprint's best-selling 3G phone product ever in a very short time, is an impressive device. Feature-for-feature, it's right there with the upcoming 3G iPhone about to be released in a few weeks. Independent research that counted the movement of Instinct phones at 100 Sprint stores around the country report that it's selling out fast. Sprint contends that the smartphone is the fastest-selling phone in Sprint's history up to this point.

But, to those customers of Sprint (new and old) who just can't see themselves joining AT&T, Inc. (NYSE: T) just to get an iPhone, the Instinct is apparently turning out to be a perfect equivalent. If Apple had never released the original iPhone, the Instinct may have never been born. Apple, as usual, has made other hardware companies realize that hardware needs to be elegant, and software needs to be way elegant. The clumsy designs and complex cellphone interfaces may soon be extinct, thanks to Apple. And, Sprint's sales of the Samsung Instinct will at least owe partial credit to the iPhone maker.

Sprint's new iPhone-killer selling like hotcakes originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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